Energy Secretary Ed Miliband Calls on the Labour Party to Focus Forward After Starmer Apologises to Streeting for Aggressive Briefings
High-ranking Labour Party figure Ed Miliband has demanded the party to move beyond party tensions after PM Keir Starmer directly apologised to health minister Wes Streeting MP over damaging media stories originating from Downing Street.
Major Developments
- Miliband confirms Starmer will sack the No 10 official responsible for briefing against Wes Streeting if discovered
- The Energy Secretary rejects future leadership aspirations, saying his past experience as leader was the "most effective protection" against seeking the role again
- UK economic growth increased by just 0.1 percent in the third quarter, impacted by the Jaguar Land Rover hack
Situation
The political controversy began after reports emerged about hostile background comments from Starmer's team targeting the Health Secretary. Although initial efforts to downplay the matter, the discussion between Starmer and Streeting according to sources followed a more serious direction.
Starmer apologised to Wes Streeting, journalists have been told. The exchange was brief, and they did not talk about Morgan McSweeney, whom Starmer is now under growing pressure to sack.
Miliband's Statement
In his early morning media interviews, Miliband highlighted the need for the Labour Party to concentrate on national matters rather than party disputes.
Clearly, I think the media briefing has been unhelpful, without doubt.
But my advice to the Labour members today is straightforward, which is we need to concentrate on the nation, not ourselves.
We were given a major election win last summer, a major opportunity to change our country. And we have a historic obligation.
Growth Update
Separately, government data showed the UK economic performance grew by just 0.1% in the July-September period, with the production sector particularly hit by the recent Jaguar Land Rover cyber-attack.
Today's Agenda
- 9.30am: The National Health Service publishes its latest statistics
- Morning: Wes Streeting visits Liverpool
- Morning: The Chancellor speaks to the journalists
- 11.30am: Number 10 conducts its daily lobby briefing
- Today: Keir Starmer announces government plans for the Britain's pioneering nuclear power project at Wylfa site on Anglesey
